Lao-American Lobbyists Oppose PNTR Status For Laos.

"Although the Bush
administration has supported expanding trade with Laos, it hasn't yet asked
Congress to approve permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status with the
impoverished, authoritarian Southeast Asian country. . Some Lao-American groups,
particularly the Lao Veterans of America, which lobbied successfully for U.S.
recognition of the ethnic Hmong who fought alongside Americans during the
Vietnam War, have strongly opposed the trade pact." The Post adds, "Lao Vets
have opposed expanded trade 'aggressively,' said Philip S. Smith, who lobbies
for the group and some other Lao-American organizations. Any new trade pact
'ought to be conditioned on reform' and improved human rights in Laos, he said."